weber and f



B. F. WEBER AND F. E. WUDDFURD.

CONVEYER SYSTEM.

APPLlCATION FILED 'Aus.2|. 1912.

1,402,558, Patented Jan. 3, 1922,

3 SHEETSSHEET I f g B. F. WEBER AND F. E. WOODFORD.

CONVEYER SYSTEM.

APPLHIATION HLEU AUG.21. 912.

3 g Wm H m M M mu m m wk (J2,

cm 95 Q G A 4 m L T V UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

snnnean rf WEBER Aim rams. woonrorm; or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; slunwoonrozan nssIonon-nv mnsnn .assrsnmnnrs, TO RAYMOND e. rmmmnn,

or NEW-roan; I Y. I 7

" converse srsrnm.

Patented Jan. 3, 1922.

, h nciuoir inn-a g er e1, 191a; Serial No. 716,218.

To all whom a 0mm,-

Be it known th t wevBEBN-ARD- E WEBER and FRANK E. Woonrono, citizens ofthe UnitedStates, and residents of Chicago, in theState of. Illinois,have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Conveyor Systems, oiwhich the following is a spec fi cation. r, I

Our presentdnvention relates to conveyors in generaland moreparticularly aerial tramways, and has spec1al=reference-to ,thentramural transportation of articles in process of manufacture from-onepart ofthe manufacturing establishment to another part thereof. In thepresent instanee, we have shown an embodiment of our invention es-'pecially adapted for use inmakingloadlng and unloading bricks ina brickyard, other parts of such system forming the sub ects matter of ourcorpending applicationsSerial No. 545,616 filed February 24; 1910, andSerial No. 575,172, filed August 8, 1910, a division thereof, andinwhich applications the subject matter of this present, application isdisclosed; 5 l 1 y The principal objects of cur -present invention are:the provisionfiof automatically operated carrier apparatusfor-transferring brick, as they issuefrom the brick ,making machine, totheicars upon ivhieh theyare hacked preparatory to storing, drying. orburning, with theinterventionof a minimum amount of manual labor; theprovision of an improved form of mono-rail tracks for supporting theconveyor .units and elevating or lowering them {to any desired level forconvenience in taking up and depositing'the load; the provision ofunimproved design of motor driven trolley car for operating theindividual carriers;"the provision of an improved form. of individualcarriers for supporting the goods to be transported; the provision ofco-operating. means whereby the operation of the carrier units, andofthe engaging means carried thereby, may be varied when desired andthereafter automatically restored; the provision of improved means forintermittently driving the individual com'eycr'uuits; the provision ofimproved means for intermittently energizing the engaging mechanism andcausing them to engage the; articles to be transported; the provision ofautomatically operated electrical means for controlling the movements ofeach of the individual trolley cars and of the-engaging means carriedthereby; together with such otherobjects as may hereinafter appear. l inthe manufacture of bricks as customarily carried on at this day, thebricks as they issue from the forming mechanism are deposited upon anendless belt conveyer runn ng to a point adjacent to a series of cars,and as the bricks approach the cars they are manually lifted from thebelt and placed in. thedesired position upon the cars. This system ofoperation is objectionable in the following respects: Firstly'In orderthat it may becarried out at all, all of the operatives removinbricks'from the conveyer and the belt and hacking them on the cars, mustmove in unison to avoid interference, and the speed with which thetransference of the brick may be accomplished is governed by that of theleast efficient operator; I

Secondly. Much time is lost and the capacity of the plant reduced in theevent of the absence for any cause of one of the operatives; that is,any variation in the number of operatives, even for a short time,requires the proportionate variation in the speed of the conveyor belt;

, Thirdly. In the event that the operatives become incoordinated evenmomentarily, some of the bricks must pass by and become Fourthly. Forthe efficient disposition of the brick issuing from but a single formingmechanism, the employment of a large number of operatives is required;

In attaining the obiects above mentioned and gaining certain furtherbenefits and advantages below to be ,described, we have provided aconstruction one embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings wherein- Figure his a general schematic view of a conveyersystem embodying our improvements as'useful in a brick makingestablishment;

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse elevational View, partially insection, taken on the line II'II' of Figure l the dotted linesindicating the various aerial track levels at different heights abovethe ground tracks;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view illustra-tive of the relative positionsassumed by the several members of a series of trolley car units andcarrier units as thcv respectively come into position to engage, andcomplete the operation or engagement of, the several members of a row ofbrick.

Figure 3 shows a part of the machine of Figure 3, being a continuationof the right hand end thereof;

Figure L is a view of a detail of construction; and Figure 5 is adiagrammatic view showing the circuits for the motor and the solenoid.

Referring first to Figure 1 or the drawings, it will be observed that wehave here illustrated the following principal elements, in connectionwith a brick making machine viz.: an aerial trolley car track, A, A, A,located immediately above a conveyer'belt'B adapted to receive brick asthey come from the forming machine; a plurality of motor trollo cars Crunning on the track A; carrier evices D respectively sup orted by thetrolley cars C; a plurality of ranch tracks E, E, E, etc. diverging fromthe main track A and aiterwar s conver therewith, each of said tracks EE F etc., being provided with a switch F, F, F, etc., and switchoperating means. G, G, G, etc., a single circuit changer H forcompleting in rotation the circuits through the several actuating meansG; a pluralit of fiat care J on ground tracks K, upon w ich cars thebricks may be packed preparatory to storing, drying or burning, theground tracks being disposed transversely to the trolley car tracks E,E; E, etc., driving mechanism M for imparting a continuous motion to theflat care J as they traverse the lanes of the aerial tracks E, E, E,etc., so f-closing switches N arranged to normally connect the branchtracks 12,13, E, etc, with that part of the main track A indicated at P'a suitable electrical conductor Q, for feeding the trolley car motors,and a suitable conductor R for energizing the operating means actuatingthe engaging devices of the carriers D; secondary conductors S locatedadjacent the branches T of the conductor Q; short branches V of theconductor R- secondary conductors X located adjacent that part of theconductor Q, indicated at Y, and circuit changers Z for controlling thefeed to the conductors S and X, it being understood that a common returnfor all electrical equipment is bad through the rail A to the ground W.

Referrin now more particularly to Figures 1 fit 2, it will be observedthat the center branches E, E, E and E of the main aerial trolley cartrack A are located above the ground rails K upon which the flat cars Jmove. In ractice each aerial track is used for depositi a differentlayer of bricks on the fiat cars. y thus providing a se aratc trolleycar track at a different heigiit for depositing each layer of bricks onthe car J, the carriers D will at all times be con veniently close tothe surface of the flat cars J or to the bricks piled thereupon, therebyavoiding not only unnecessary expenditure of effort by the operatives indischarging the bricks upon the car, but also danger of brcalo age ofsuch bricks by dropping them. In order that each of the flat cars J mayhe moved from a convenient position below the track E to the track E, Eand E in succession, at a rate of s d which will approximate the rate ofelivery of brick by the carriers D, we referably utilize the drivingmechanism in icated at M in Figure 1, wherein as will be seen u onreference to Figure 2 the conveyor M riven by a motor 10) is of a chainconstruction and provided with arms 11 normally disposed at right anglesto the conveyer, and movable rclatively thereto in one direction only,to-wit:

the direction of normal travel of the con "cyer, such arms 11 beinadapted to engage the axles 12 of the cars and drive such cars forwardin the direction indicated by the arrow.

For driving the motor of the trolley cur Q, and energizing the actuatingmeans for the enpaging mechanism D, we make use preforab y of twoconductors, Q, and R respectively, having a common feed of the samepolarity, such conductors being supported from a suit able bracket butinsulated therefrom and spaced somewhat apart, as indicated at 1:1.contact being made with the conductors (Q and R respectively by thecollector shoes it and 15, of the motor of the trolley car C and of theactuatin r device 16 of the carrier 1). respectively, w iich shoes are,of course, insulated from each other.

In that embodiment of our invention which is specially available for usein connection with an end out brick machine (that is one which forms thebrick ruin a bar of the two least dimensions of a conipleted brick) wemake use of a construction of carrier and engaging mechanism illustratedin preferred form in Figure 3.

Referrin now more particularly to Figure 3, which il ustrates more fullythe construction of the trolley car indicated at C in Figure 1, it willbe observed that the present form of trolley car comprises a frame 17having a pair of supporting wheels 18l8, riding upon the aerial track Awhich is supported from a bracket. The frame 17 is provided at each endwith upturned bumpers 19 rounded for a purpose to be below described.and upon one end of the frame is mounted a motor 20 in turn mounted todrive one of the trolley car wheels 18. For the purpose f affording apivotal support for lhe carriers D of Figure 1, we mountccntrally in thelower part 21 of the frame 17, pivotallv. u hanging bar 22 for thecarrier device l The central longitudinal member 23 of the carrier D isprovided with suitable attaching ll ll a distance slgghtly less than thedicated st 27 in or or to provide a socket for end 28 of the followingourthe progcctinfg rier, an the orwerd end with e downwardly extendinstopplate 29 both useful for purposes to e belowdescribed.

Referring further to Figure 3, it will be observed that we have hereshown a lurality of the trolley cars 0 and carriers in thepositions-they assume relatively to each other and the brick 30 as suchbrick are discharged upon the belt B upon emer once from the brickformin device 31, at t 16 time the conveyor units ride into position toengage such brick.

We have indicated it brick forming ma,- chine at 31 purely for pur osesof lllllStL'iL- tion here showing the well nown Chambers machine whereinthe molded clay us it issues from the die a. of the mixin 'rnachine Z;is delivered to on off-bearing be t c which moves at a rate of speedsubstantially uniform with that of the molded material coming from thedie and delivers such material to a. cutting machine (I having arms 9provided with cutter wires f for cuttin the molded clay into bricks 30.In order at the bricks 30 may not be distorted by crowdin or otherwisedeformed, they are delivers immediately upon cuttin from the oil-bearingbelt a to the belt B W ieh bein urren d to travel at at higher rate ofspec than t e belt 0 acts as a separator, thereby carrying the bricks 30forward in the spaced relation shown. The members a, b, 0, 41,6, f, andB comprise an errun ement well known to those who are sltille in theart, and the belt 13 is always driven in such arrangements at a rate ofspeed incxcess of the maximums eed of the belt a, which may be done bydriving the belt B from. the pulley which drives the belt 0 in thecustomary manner.

Fromlan examination of this Figure 3 it will be observed that a. portion82 of the truck A, nearest the point of emergence of the brick fromthe'device 31 upon the belt 13, is elevated a distance equalsubstantially to the thickness of the brick, above that portion of thetruck indicated at 33 where the carriers D engage the brick, and thatthe rounded bumpers 19 are rovided "for the purpose of spacing the troley cars 0 apart length of the carriers to allow overlap ing of thelatter. When each of the trolley corsC mores off the elevated portion ofthe track (I the projecting portion28 of the clamp will ride into thenotched portions 27 of the forward clamp and prevent the. rear clumpfrom any contact whatsoever with the brick engaged or about to becomeengaged with (o such forward carrier, as is very clearly to be seen onthe comparison ofthe relative ositions of the several carriers D, D andThis construction also permits the use of the downwardly extending stopplate for retarding the brick us is desirable in the operation of ourdevice below to be described.

The operation of a brick transporting upputatus embodying our presentinvention is as follows:

Assuming t plurality of carriers coming vertically over thebelt B as isclearly to he understood from Figures 1 and 3. Im-

medintelythc collector shoe let passes out of contact with that port ofthe conductor Q, indicated at 47, the trolley our 0 descends theinclined portion 33 of the aerial track A, allowing the elements 34, 35,and 36 to come into position to engn e the brick 30 as me be seen at D,D an D. Conve er B wilv move at greaterspeed than the trol cy car Cuntil the-motor 01'- the trolley car C is energized, and the carrier Dwill thereby and by the impact of the carrier l) be moved to theposition shown and its prior positions successively occu led by D and D,but carrier D, since he motor of its trolley car C is still energized,continues to push against the line of carriers D", D etc, and movesa-idcarriers one at s time into transporting engagement with the roups ofbricks, such as 30, 30, 30 and 5 30, 30. Obviously, however,notwithstanding the fact that the motor of the trolley car G isenergized, the line of corriers ouch provided with a retarding plate 29will move at a slightly slower rate of speed than that of the belt 13,owing to the inertia of such line, and the motor oi one of the trolleycars C, will set as a carrier distributing mechanism operating in unisonwith the forward movement or". the bricks for deliverin one carrier at atime as fast as a loud of laricks gets in proper position to be taken upby such carrierz. As soon as the collector shoe 14 strikes the guideweyindicated. at 37, the trolley car C will be energized and the carrier Dwill assume the relation parallel to the belt like that shown for thecarrier D. As the motion of the conveyor 13 in the direction indicatedby the arrow is continuous, and the retarding plate 29 of the carrier Dhas dropped in front of the brick 3O consequent upon the removal of thecarrier D, the bricks 30, 30*, and 30 will close together similarly tothose indicated at 30*, 30, 30, the carrier D thereby acting as onautomatic benching mechanism cooperating in timed relation with theseparating belt Immediately the collector shoe 15 strikes the guidewuy38 of the conductor R the actuating device 16 will become energized, andthe bricks finally clamped in the carrier and any curvature in theirsurfaces straightened. The brick clumped in the carrier still contactingwith the conveyor B, the carrier continues to progress in the directionindicated by the arrow until the contact shoe 14 strikes that part ofthe conductor Q, indicated at 37 when the motor is energized and beginsits travel along the track A, the speed of the motors of the carriers C,after t ey leave the sepe rating belt B, being obviously much reeterthan that of the separating belt 13, which in turn is greater than thatof the line of cerrieis, C, notwithstanding the push of the carrier Cwhose motor is retarded by the overload caused by the weight and thefrictional resistance of the line of carriers in front of it.

As the trolley car C approaches the circuit changer H and strikes one ofthe fingers 39 (see Figure 1) closi the circuit through the wire 40, thesolenoi G (Fi e 1) is excited, the switch F (Figure 1) is closed and thetrolley car C is diverted down the truck E7 The approach of thefollowing trolley car C will move another of the fingers 39 open thecircuit through the solenoid G and open the switch F, simultaneouslyclosing the circuit through the wire 41, the solenoic G and closing theswitch F, like operations tuking place with respect to the switch F ofthe truck E, and the switch F of the track E opening the switchpreviously closed and closing the next one in order, etc. When thecontact shoe i l of the carriers C reaches the point on the conductor T(forming substantinlly a continuation of the conductor Q) indicated ati3, the ener izetion of the motor is discontinued an the trolley carcomes to it stop, but the actuating device 16 continues to e energized.The operator standing at 0 then grasps the carrier D with his hand andbrings it to its desired position above the our J, pulls down thecarrier by extending the springs 44, and opens the clamp and dischargesthe brick by ressing upon the switch button 45, arranger in the rearwardof the two members 24, which opens the circuit throi h the actuatingdevice 16. The carrier D ieing relieved of the weight of the brick willimmediately rise from the brick by means of the springs 44 previouslyheld under tension, and the currier may be then given a manual impulsealong the aerial track E, and as soon as the contact 14 strikes thatport of the conductor T indicated at 46, the motor 34 will becomeenergized and the carrier will proceed on its way along the aerial trackE and over the switch N and the aerial track A until the trolley car Cagain reaches the terminal 47 when the operation first described will bere outed.

rom the foregoing description it will be apparent that to attain a mosteflirieut operation, of apparatus embodying our iu1 prcvemcnts, it isdesirable that the brick be somewhat spaced apart prior to the instnntof their final engagement with the curriers D.

If for any reason delivery of brick to the flat cars be temporarilysuspended, the trolley car C may be diverted to the storage trackindicated at A" having" conductors ii" and Q", and communicating withthe truck A'by means of a. manually operated switch F" and a springswitch E".

Having thus described our invention and illustrated its use what weclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the kind described. menus for deliveringsuccessive groupsof bricks in position for transportation, and movingcarrier means for receiving said moving bricks and delivering saidbricks to c hacking stand in hacked relation.

2. In an apparatus of the lrind described,

automatic means to bunch together bricks in the desired units requiredfor backing, and automatic carrying mechanism for carrying saidbunched-together units and depositing them in hncked relation.

3. In an apparatus of the kind described, mechanism for continuouslydelivering u stream of bricks, mechanism for carrying said bricksforward in successive bunches to a hacking station, and means forintrodncing a time element between the deliveries of bunches, withoutinterrupting the storesaid continuous movement of the bricks, forpermittitng the proper handling of the bricks at the bucking station.

l. In an apparatus of the kind described, the combinutlon with mechanismfor continuously delivering a stream of green brickmaterial in the formof briclm. and carrying means for carrying said bricks to hackingstations, of means for providing n time in terval at the beginning ofeach carrying movement and means for providing :mother time interval atthe end of (3:!L'll carrying movement for enabling the carrying means totake its load of bricks and deposit its lead in hacked relation withoutinterfering with the said continuous movement of the stream of bricks.

5. In an apparatus of the kind described, means for moving :1 stream ofbricks forward into position for being loudcd in units of u plurality ofbricks each, carriers for carrying said bricks, and carrier distributingmechanism operated in unison with the forward movement of the bricks fordrlivcn ing one carrier at a time as fast as u load of bricks gets inproper position for said curnor.

6. In an apparatus of the kind desrribrd. continuously movingbrick-delivery menus for delivering bricks with a continuous on wordmovement in position to be loaded. a carrier for transporting suidbricks. menus adjacent the loading portion of suid deliv- Iflll llll lIl

ery means for positively movin said carrier at the same speed as thebrie and c0- opereting automatic mechanism for securing a load of brickson said carrier while the carrier and bricks ez'e still movin 7. In anapparatus of the kind ascribed means for receiving a continuous streamof bricks, means for forwarding the same in separated bunches, hackingclamps and means for delivering sjaid bunches to said hackin clamps witha space interval between aeiiveries.

8. In an apparatus of the kind described means for receiving acontinuous stream of bricks, means 'for segregetin bunches of bricksfrom such stream, and 0! delivering successive bunches to differentstations for subse uent treatment.

9. non apparatus of the kind described, means for receiving a.continuous stream of 21) bricks, means for forwarding the same inseparated bunches, and means for delivering successive bunches beseparated stations.

In witness whereof we have hereunder sified our names in the presence ofthe two 25 en cribed witnesses.

BERNARD F. WEBER.

FRANK E. WOODFORD.

Witnesses Wnsrmn, PAUL CARPENTER.

